Universal shank button attachment



March 3, 1953 c. LIERO ETAL UNIVERSAL SHANK BUTTON ATTACHMENT Filed May 3, 1951 Patented Mar. 3, 1953 UNIVERSAL SHAN K BUTTON ATTACHMENT Larry C. Liero, Anthony A. Arcury, and Paul C. Trilli, Wind Gap, Pa.

Application May 3, 1951, Serial No. 224,424

18 Claims.

This invention relates to a shank button attachment for button sewers and more particularly to an improved universal attachment that is capable of holding a wide variety of buttons and which may be used either right or left hand on the standard makes of button sewers.

Heretofore, shank button attachments for button sewers were relatively crude devices which generally speaking, could be used only with one size and type of button and on one particular sewing machine. Furthermore, in many if not all cases, these attachments were so cumbersome and complicated that they could not be switched for selective right or left-hand use. This feature is of especial importance because operators frequently refuse to use a button sewer which is not set up for right or left-hand use at the option of the operator. Not only is it sometimes physically and nervously impossible for a left-handed operator to use a right-hand attachment, but the fact that most button sewing is done on a piece-work basis, it will be seen that operators in sist that the sewers be arranged for maximum speed and efiiciency.

A primary object of the present invention therefore, is to provide a relatively inexpensive universal shank button attachment for button sewers.

A further object of the invention is to provide a universal shank button attachment for button sewers capable of being attached to the sewing machine for either right or left-hand manipulation.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved shank button sewing attachment having a specially designed spring-loaded plunger for holding the buttons in position, which facilitates the rapid insertion and removal of the buttons.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a shank button attachment assembly comprising a universal fixture and a slotted bracket adapted to be secured to the fixture in a plurality of positions, thereby enabling the fixture to be mounted as desired on any button sewer.

Further objects will be apparent from the shank button attachment as mounted for lefthand operation with a button sewer of the Singer 114 class;

Fig. 5 is a sectional view as seen at 5--5 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary detail showing a relatively smaller shank button positioned in the fixture;

Fig. 7 is a perspective of the structure of Fig. 4;

Fig. 8 is similar to Fig. 7 except that the attachment has been set for right-hand operation;

Fig. 9 shows the attachment assembled for left-hand operation on a button sewer such as the Singer class;

Fig. 10 is a top view of the attachment in the position shown in Fig. 9, secured to a button sewer; and

Fig. 11 is similar to Fig. 9 with the attachment adjusted for right-hand operation.

The invention comprises essentially the provision of a button holding fixture having a shank button-receiving aperture formed integrally with an offset housing for a spring-loaded plunger, the centerline of the aperture being substantially in the same horizontal plane and at right angles to the centerline of the plunger. The button aperture portion of the fixture is provided with a plurality of drilled and tapped hole preferably on adjacent edges thereof, to which a slotted bracket may be clamped so that the fixture is supported on the button sewer in the proper manner for sewing buttons to fabric, etc.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, the fixture proper for holding the shank buttons comprises a rectangular block portion I0 which is formed integrally with the oliset plunger housing II (as shown clearly in Figs. 1 and 2). The block portion ii) is drilled at 12 and then slotted vertically at l3 to provide an aperture extending substantially halfway across the block Ii) which has an enlarged bore for receiving the shank l4 of any conventional shank button such as shown at IS in Fig. 3. In current practice, the thickness of shank M in a plane perpendicular to the centerline of the hole It in the shank is substantially constant for buttons varying from the small 12' line size to the large 18 line size, and includin the 14 line and 16 line sizes. It is therefore possibl to select the diameter for hole 12 in block It] so that regardless of whether the small 12 line button or the large 18 line button is used, the shank hole It of the button is always substantially on the centerline of the hole I2 in the block ID (as shown in Fig. 4). Even though the diameter of the shank may vary somewhat, it i always possible to position the hole of the shank so that it clears the sides of slot l3. Furthermore, while there is some variation in the length of shank Hi, we mill or cut slot I3 sufiiciently deep so that there is always ample clearance between the bottom of the slot and the end of the button shank when in position. V

The button 15 regardless of the diameter or size of the button head, is retained in place by means of the convex head l8 of a spring-loaded threaded plunger I9. The tension exerted on the button heads as well as the maximum displacement of the plunger due to the action of spring 20, is adjusted by means of nut 2i which is retained on the plunger by a lock nut 22. Proper adjustment of nut 21 and plunger i9 is such that the buttons it may be readily snapped into position (shown in Fig, 4) by the operator and likewise removed with a minimum of effort. The convex shape of head [8 provides a slight component of pressure at right angles to the centerline of the plunger so that around headed button is forced into and retained in the hole H2 in such a manner that the head of. the button is firmly seated againstfa'ce23 'of block ill. In a similar manner, the shape of the head l8 securely retains a relative'ly'sina'll fiat-headed button i5a (Fig. 6) so that the only adjustment necessary in converting the attachment to handle buttons varying as meshes those shown'in Figs. 3 and 6, is a simple adjustment of'tlie nut 2 i to compensate for variations in the diameter of the button head.

I The block lll'is provided with a tapped and drilled hole 25 which is in alignment with the centerline of hole I2. A second drilled and tsepeahme ZBis provided on the adjacent face 27 which is at right angles to faces '23 and 28 thereof. ,A' speci'al'br'acket'iie is bolted to either face l .o'r'2'8 by means of machine "screw 30. Bracketifi'has' twovertical slots 3 l and 32 formed betwe n'upri'g'htarms 33, E i and 35. Desirably, the lower web 36 er'the brac et is thinner than th erbissame so that theshoul'de'rs s1 and as overlie thetop'df. block Hi "to prevent relative turnin of the block with regard to the bracket. ,Itfwillbe apparent that the relative movement ofthe n'eedle with registers the fixture must be sigii tne .centerline er slot is, and this applies whether relative movement isto and from the operator, treats and forthin front oi the oper- Iii either case,fth'e need ess "alternately penetratesth e hele it in'th'e button shank "ill and the gap betwee nfthe end of the button "shank andthebottom er slot te net). when the attachment is mounted on a machine "or the Singerll; class which oscillates as shown by the double arrow in Figs, the attachment is assembledso that bracketZEl is secured to the fixture by screw 30 in hole 25, and to the arm ill of the buttons wer by m an of. a ma hi e s w. (FigsA and 5). .A shoe A3 maybe added if desired, toa buttonsewerof the Singer 8 is class to provide thenece sa o pe n betw n the fixture, the needledil, and the material to which he t n is w d-.. Figs. 4, 5 and 7 shown the attachment assembledi0r a left-handed operator. For a righthanded operator, the fixture is reversed on bracket, 2.9 (asv showniin Fig. 8). Since the centerline of .hole 25 coincides with the centerline, of hole l2, .the fixture works equally wellin either'position, there being no displacement of the slot .l 3 when the fixture is reversed.

with a Singer class in which the needle bar vibrates and the button attachment is stationary, or in a machine such as the Lewis button sewer in which the arm carrying the button attachment vibrates crosswise, we merely clamp the bracket 29 to the face 21 of block it (as shown in Figs. 9-11). Desirably, the web 36 does not extend completely across the length of the bracket 29 so that the ends of the bracket will be substantially in line with the face 28 of block it and the outer face 65 of housing ii.

Figs. 9 and 10 show the attachment assembled for left-hand operation and in this case, the bracket'ZQ is secured to the sewing machine in slot 3 I. To reverse the fixture for right-hand operation as shown in Fig. 11, it is necessary to remove screw 3i? entirely and reverse bracket 29 so that the attachment is clamped to the sewing machine in the other slot 32. It willbe understood that the reference line or axis about which the attach ment must be turned in order to obtain equally satisfactory right and left-hand operation, a line halfway between the two extreme positions 4i and ll of the needle with respect to the attachment (Fig. 10). Provided the distance irem center of screw 52 to the reference line remains constant, the fixture can be reversed withgut the necessity for further adjustment of thebutton sewer. Therefore, we locate the centers of slots 3! and 32 equi-distant from the reference line, as shown in Fig. 10, to facilitate reversal. l lowever, it may be desirable toprovide limited play between the shank of screw 42 and the sides of the slots 3! and 32 so compensation can be made for slight variations in the reference line which might occur for different styles or sizes of buttons.

it will thus be understood that the fixture proper comprising the body it and the plunger housing H, can be applied either right or ,left hand to any style or make of button sewer, With the use of a bracket such as the bracket 29, we have shown specifically how the fixture is applied to the Singer 175 class as well as the Singer 114 class, these two machines being considered typical because in one case the needle bar oscillates and in the other case the button attachment'ancl presser foot oscillate. Also, thepaths of movement of the button-attachment with'regard to the needle are at rightangles to each other in these two machines. It will therefore be "ap-' parent that the particular features or our fixture render it especially suitable for universal use, not "only with regard to the-make 'and model of the machine, but also with regerwtt awide range of sizes and styles of -shank'buttons.

Having thus described 'our' invention, we claim:

1. A shank button attachment for button sewers and the like, comprising a body member, walls in said body member defining a buttonshankreceiving aperture, "walls in said body "member defining a needle slot in registry with the button shank aperture, and a spring -loaded plunger mounted in said body, thecenterlin'e of the plunger being substantially at right angles to thece'n' terline of the button shank'ap-erturewhereby'the plunger is positioned to contact thehead of' a shank button when seated "in the aperture.

2. A shank button attachment for button sewers and the like, comprising a body memben'w'alls in said body member defining aibuttonshankreceiving aperture, walls in said 'bodyiiiembe't 'de.. fining a needleslot in regist-r'y with the button hank perture, s iprq ties lembfin with the centerline of the buttonshankaperture and around which the body member may be turned substantially 180, and a spring-loaded plunger mounted in said body, the centerline of the plunger being substantially at right angles to the centerline of the button shank aperture whereby the plunger is positioned to contact the hea of a shank button when seated in the apertu e.

3. A shank. button attachment for button sewers and. the like, comprising a body member, walls in said body member defining a button shank-receiving aperture, walls in said body member de ning a needle slot in registry with the but ton shank aperture, a spring-loaded plunger mounted in said body, the centerline of the plunger being substantially at right angles to the centerline of the button shank aperture whereby the plunger is positioned to contact the head of a shank button when seated in the aperture, and a convex, enlarged. head. on said plunger.

4. A shank button attachment for button sewers and the like, comprising a body member, walls in said body member defining a button shankreceiving aperture, walls in said body member defining a needle slot in registry with the button shank aperture, a spring-loaded plunger mounted in said body, the centerline of the plunger being substantially at right angles to the centerline of the button shank aperture whereby the plunger is positioned to contact the head of a shank button when seated in the aperture, a convex, enlarged head on said plunger, and means for adjusting the displacement of the plunger with respect to the body.

5. A shank button attachment for button sewers. and the like, comprising a body member having two faces at right angles to each other, walls in said body member defining a button shank-receiving aperture, walls in the body member defining a needle slot in registry with the button shank aperture, the depth of the needle slot being substantially greater than the length of a button shank, a bracket by which the body member is secured to a button sewer, and a reversible connection between the bracket and the body memher.

6. A shank button attachment for button sewers and the like, comprising a body member having two faces at right angles to each other, walls in said body member defining a button shank-receiving aperture, walls in the body member defining a needle slot in registry with the button shank aperture, the depth of the needle slot being substantially greater than the length of a button shank, a bracket by which the body member is secured to a butt-on sewer, a reversible connection between the bracket and the body member, and a spring-loaded plunger mounted in said body, the centerline of the plunger being substantially at right angles to the centerline of the button shank aperture whereby the plunger is positioned to contact the head of a shank button when seated in the aperture.

'7. A shank button attachment for button sewers and the like, comprising a body member having two faces at right angles to each other, walls in said body member defining a button shankreceiving aperture, walls in the body member defining a needle slot in registry with the button shank aperture, the depth of the needle slot being substantially greater than the length of a button shank, a bracket by which the body member is secured to a button sewer, a spring-loaded plunger mounted in said body, the centerline of the plunger being substantially at right angles 80 the centerline of the button shank aperture 6 whereby the plunger is positioned to contact the head of a shank button when seated in the aper ture, and means for connecting the bracket to either of said faces.

8. A shank button attachment for button sewers and the like, comprising a body member having two faces at right angles to each other, walls in said body member defining a button shank-receiving aperture, walls in the body member defining a needle slot in registry with the button shank aperture, the depth of the needle slot being substantially greater than the length of a button shank, a bracket by which the body member is secured to a button sewer, a springloaded plunger mounted in said body, the centerline of the plunger being substantially atright angles to the centerline of the button shank aper ture, and a convex head for said plunger positioned to contact the head of a shank button when seated in the aperture.

9. A shank button attachment assembly for button sewers and the like, comprising a body member having two faces at right angles to each other, walls in said body member defining a button shank-receiving aperture, walls in the body member defining a needle slot in registry with the button shank aperture, the depth of the needle slot being substantially greater than the length of a button shank, a spring-loaded plunger mounted in said body, the centerline of the plunger being substantially at right angles to the centerline of the button shank aperture whereby the plunger is positioned to contact the head of a shank button when seated in the aperture, a bracket for selectively clamping the body member to a button sewer, and connecting means operatively associated with the bracket and the body member for selectively positioning the body member for either right or left-hand operation.

10. A shank button attachment assembly in accordance with claim 9, in which the connecting means is substantially in line with the centerline of the needle slot.

11. A shank button attachment assembly in accordance with claim 9, in which the connecting means is offset with respect to a reference line at right angles to the centerline of the needle slot and substantially bisecting the amplitude of relative movement between the button attachment and the needle.

12. A shank button attachment assembly for button sewers and the like, comprising a body member having two faces at right angles to each other, walls in said body member defining a button shank-receiving aperture, walls in the body member defining a needle slot in registry with the button shank aperture, the depth of the needle slot being substantially greater than the length of a button shank, a spring-loaded plunger mounted in said body, the centerline of the plunger being substantially at right angles to the centerline of the button shank aperture whereby the plunger is positioned to contact the head of a shank button when seated in the aperture, a slotted bracket for selectively clamping the body member to a button sewer, and connecting means operatively associated with the bracket and the body member for selectively positioningthe body member for either right or lelt-hand operation.

13. A shank button attachment assembly for button sewers and the like, comprising a body member having two faces at right angles to each other, walls in said body member dennmg a button shank-receiving aperture, walls in the body exam-oer member idefini'ng ra needle slot in registry with the button shank aperture, the depth of the needle slot being subst'antially greater than the length of a button shank, a spring-loaded plunger mounted 'in said body, the centerline of the plunge'r being substantially at right angles to the 'cen terline of the button shank aperture whereby-the "plunger is positioned to contact'th'e head of a "shank 'button when seated in the aperture, a bracket -forselectively clamping the bod'y-me'mber to a button sewer, walls defining at least two parallel slots in said bracket, the

ce'nterIines-of said slots being located substantially' equi-d'is'tant from a reference line at right ahglesto the'needle slots and substantially bis'eeting the amplitude or relative movement between *the button attachment and the needle, and connecting means operatively associated tviththe bracket'and the *bodymember for selectively positioning the body member ..for both right and left-hand operationfrom either :6: said slots.

LARRY C. LIERO. 'AN'I'I-IONY A. ARCURIY.

PAUL C. TRILLI.

REFERENCES CITED "The following references are of record in the 10 file df't'his patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS 

